Vegetables

Since different varieties of the same vegetables have different temperature and light requirements, the secret of successful kitchen gardening lies in sowing the seed in the right season. Growing specific seeds with little respect to season and climate would result in low or no yields.

Since space is often limited in a home garden, it becomes important to grow high, yielding seeds, the chief among which are the hybrid varieties (ask at your seed shop). These give substantial output even when grown in pots.

The vegetable varieties given below are appropriate for the upper half of India where the climate is sub, tropical in plains and temperate in hills. For the lower part of India, which is mostly tropical one could use the summer varieties mentioned. In any case your local garden/seed shop should be consulted to determine the most appropriate seed for your area, and the season in which you want to grow.

Cabbage: Variety, e.g. Golden Pride; 60 days; well, manured soil; full sunlight; September to OctOber (plains); March to June (hills); sowing depth half a centimetre make seedlings then transplant.

Carrot: Sub-tropical variety, e.g. Pasa kesar; 90-120 days; loose loamy soil, rich in humus; open area and sunlight; mid-August to end September (plains); March July (hills); these are juicier than the temperate types and are conical having a thick head. Thinning should be done to keep the plants four inches (10 centimetres) apart. To get a continuous harvest sow in batches at an interval of three weeks. Carrots need high levels of potash, so add a handful of woodash or a tablespoon of murate of potash for every 10 carrots in two stages.

Carrot: Temperate variety, e.g. nantes; 90-120 days; loose loamy soil, rich in humus; open area and sunlight partial shade; October to November (plains); March to July (hills); these are drier and almost cylindrical. 1inning should be done to keep the plants 4 inches o centimetres) apart. To get a continuous harvest sow batches at an interval of three weeks. Carrots need high levels of potash, so add a handful of woodash or a tablespoon of murate of potash for every 10 carrots in two stages.

Cucumber: Variety, e.g. Poinsette, 90 days; manured, well-drained soil; full sunlight; June-July and February-March (plains), April (hills); sowing depth 2 cms; direct seeding; grow on fences, south facing walls; welcome wasps, bees to pollinate.

Radish: Temperate variety, e.g. scarlet globe; 30 days ; ordinary, well-drained soil; full sunlight but can tolerate some shade; October to February (plains); arch to July (hills); heads of the roots grow above the il surface, so for proper root development it must be earthed after every 15 days. Pull out the radish when still-tender.

Radish: Tropical variety, e.g. Japanese white or pusa desi; 60 days; light, fertile soil; full sunlight but can tolerate some shade; August to November (plains); March to July (hills); during planting requires lots of water. Earth up at least once after three weeks.

Radish: Summer variety, e.g. Pusa chetaki; 45 days; light, fertile soil; full sunlight but can tolerate some shade; March to August (plains); March to July (hills); sow one to two centimetres deep.

Tomato: Tropical variety, e.g. Pusa ruby. Pusa early dwarf; 90 days; rich loamy soil-ideal is clay in subsoil (below one foot), and sandy on surface; full sunlight; July to August (plains); March to July (hills); depth of sowing one centimetre; ideal pot vegetable. For stimulated growth tomatoes should be transplanted to the final site after four weeks. Apply one tablespoon of bone-meal or half teaspoon superphosphate in the root zone during transplanting.

Tomato: Sub-tropical variety, e.g. Roma, Marglobe; 90 days; rich loamy soil-ideal is clay in subsoil (below one foot), and sandy on surface; full sunlight; November to December (plains); March to April (hills); depth of sowing one centimetre; ideal pot vegetable. Tomatoes should be transplanted after four weeks to the final site for stimulated growth. Apply one tablespoon of bone-meal or half teaspoon superphosphate in the root zone during transplanting. French beans: Bush variety, e.g. Contender, Giant-strangles; Pole varieties like Kentucky wonder; 45 days; any soil; full sunlight; mid, January to mid, March (plains); direct sowing from March to April (hills); depth of sowing 3,4 centimetres; beans are shallow rooted and so can be grown in fruit crates. They are sensitive to over watering. To stimulate production harvest the beans often.

Lady finger (Okra): Variety, e.g. Pusa saudin; 40,45 days; well-manured, well, drained soil; full sunlight, or partial shade; February to July (plains); March to April (hills); depth of sowing three to four centimetres; direct sowing; soaking the seeds for 24 hours hastens germination. Seeds don't germinate below 20°C (68°F). To stimulate higher yield keep picking fruit when it is ready.

Lady finger (Okra): Variety, e.g. Parkins long green; 60 days; well-manured, well,drained soil; full sunlight, or partial shade; February to July (plains); April to May (hills); depth of sowing three to four centimetres; direct seeding; soaking the seeds for 24 hours hastens germination. Seeds don't germinate below 20°C (68°F). Keep picking fruit when just ready to stimulate higher yield.

Fertilizer requirements for vegetables is higher than just flower production as these plants have to give yields of food produce in short span of time.
The trend nowadays is to avoid chemical fertilizers and use manures and compost in a system called organic farming.